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Table 3 Distribution of Outcomes in meta-analyses in the CDSR

From: Characteristics of meta-analyses and their component studies in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews: a cross-sectional, descriptive analysis

Outcome

Frequency

Signs/symptoms reflecting continuation/end of condition

3639

(16%)

Adverse events

2368

(11%)

Infection/onset of new acute/chronic disease

2215

(10%)

Biological markers (e.g. VO2 max)

2071

(9%)

General physical health (e.g. heart rate)

1921

(9%)

Obstetric outcomes

1477

(7%)

All-cause mortality

1278

(6%)

Hospital stay/process measures

1158

(5%)

Quality of life/functioning

958

(4%)

Pain

802

(4%)

Mental health outcomes

743

(3%)

Surgical/device related success/failure

737

(3%)

Withdrawals/dropouts

643

(3%)

Internal structure (e.g. radiograph outcomes)

504

(2%)

Major morbidity event (e.g. stroke)

502

(2%)

Composite (at least 1 non-mortality/morbidity)

460

(2%)

Composite (mortality/morbidity only)

224

(1%)

Cause-specific mortality

194

(1%)

Consumption (e.g. use of beta2 agonists)

190

(1%)

External structure (e.g. eczema)

160

(1%)

Other

94

(0.4%)

Satisfaction with care

86

(0.4%)

Resource use

29

(0.1%)

Total

22453

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